Cheap Chick NYC Cheap and Free Weekend Event Picks, Dec. 18 and 19, 2010

Hi all, apologies for the delay and briefness of these picks, I'm still feeling under the weather.

Saturday December 18, 2010

I don’t think baby Jesus could sleep through Unsilent Night where boom boxes will blare Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night, 7 p.m., Washington Square Park, free!

Chinatown and Little Italy converge to create their own special holiday celebration, the East Meets West Parade! 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the parade route will run start at Mulberry and Canal Street, free!

Did someone kill Kenny? Those bastards! Find out at a screening of South Park, Bigger, Larger, and Uncut! Sing-a-long with the show, which starts at 10:30 p.m., 92Y Tribeca, 200 Hudson Street, tkts are $13, and can be purchased here: http://www.92y.org/shop/92Tri_event_detail.asp?productid=T-MM5FD11

And you thought your nephew/niece/brother/sister/cousin went wild over their gifts. At the Central Park Zoo you can watch animals unwrap their Christmas presents! Giving times are here: http://www.centralparkzoo.com/plan-your-trip/events-calendar/presents-to-the-animals.aspx, Central Park Zoo, $12!

The Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival (http://www.brooklynemf.com) is today, Nerd Night (http://nyc.nerdnite.com) is back, you can disapparate or arrange a connection to the Floo Network to attend the Harry Potter-inspired Yule Ball (http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3207595), and the Museum of the Chinese in the Americas is leading a culinary-based tour of Chinatown (http://www.mocanyc.org/visit/events/from_coffeehouses_to_banquet_halls_walking_tour), and participate in a variety of activities at El Museo del Barrio’s Super Sabado event (http://www.elmuseo.org/en/event/target-free-third-saturdays-november)!

Sunday December 19, 2010

Don’t be a birdbrain when you help the Urban Park Rangers with their annual Christmas bird count! Ornithologist Frank Chapman will lead the data gathering, which will end with refreshments at the Arsenal. 8 a.m., Meet at the South Pump Station of the Reservoir (85th Street and 5th Avenue). All counting groups will be escorted by Urban Park Rangers and participants are advised to dress warmly and bring binoculars! 8 a.m., A $5 registration fee is due the day of the event, with children under 18 admitted free.

Exercise your brain before the Christmas cookie and eggnog coma sets in with Mental Floss trivia! 7:30 p.m., Galapagos Art Space, 16 Main at Water Street, Free!

Get cooking on holiday shopping with powerHouse Arena’s multiple cookbook signing event, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.,, powerhouse arena, 37 Main St. at Water St., DUMBO, free!

I’m sure Cookie Monster would not be able to stay away from the Holiday Cookie Takedown! Sample a variety of holiday goodies and wash them down with free spiked eggnog! 6 p.m., The Bell House, 149 7^th St. bet 2^nd and 3^rd Aves., Brooklyn, $15. Get tkts here: http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=3351375

Relive the holiday classic 'Twas the Night Before Christmas with a reading by Malik Yoba to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the book. The reading will conclude with a walk from the church to lay a wreath at author Clement Clarke Moore’s grave. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Church of the Intercession, 550 W. 155^th St. at Broadway, free!

Andy Warhol: Motion Pictures opens at MOMA today and runs through March 21, 2011, you can also go on a cupcake crawl (http://www.yelp.com/events/manhattan-cupcake-crawl), enjoy a free concert at the Guggenheim, (http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/calendar-and-events?option=com_calendar&task=showevent&mt=1292738400&mh=+%40+6%3A30%26nbsp%3Bpm&aid=3663), and get some holiday shopping done at the Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market going on Sat and Sun (http://www.brooklyncraftcentral.com)!